This Path of Exile 2 Mercenary leveling guide outlines optimal skills, support gems, passive skills, and itemization for a smooth progression to endgame. Mercenaries, while straightforward, require strategic skill choices to maximize effectiveness.
Early Game Strategy: Initially, Mercenaries may feel less potent due to reliance on Crossbow attacks. However, integrating Grenades significantly enhances their combat capabilities. Start with Fragmentation Shot (excellent close-range damage, especially with stun support) and Permafrost Shot (freezes enemies, boosting Fragmentation Shot damage).
Mid-to-Late Game Power Spike: Unlocking powerful Grenades (Explosive, Gas) and Explosive Shot transforms the playstyle. Explosive Shot detonates existing Grenades, creating massive AoE damage.
Core Leveling Skills and Support Gems:
| Skill Gem | Useful Support Gems |
|---|---|
| Explosive Shot | Ignition, Magnified Effect, Pierce |
| Gas Grenade | Scattershot, Fire Penetration, Inspiration |
| Ripwire Ballista | Ruthless |
| Explosive Grenade | Fire Infusion, Primal Armament, Magnified Effect |
| Oil Grenade | Ignition, Magnified Effect |
| Flash Grenade | Overpower |
| Galvanic Shards | Lightning Infusion, Pierce |
| Glacial Bolt | Fortress |
| Herald of Ash | Clarity, Vitality |
- Gas Grenade poisons a wide area.
- Explosive Grenades explode after a delay or detonation.
- Explosive Shot detonates Gas and Explosive Grenades for massive AoE damage.
- Ripwire Ballista provides a distraction.
- Glacial Bolt helps control hordes (replace Permafrost Shot later).
- Oil Grenade (situational, outclassed by Gas Grenade except against bosses).
- Galvanic Shards clears hordes efficiently (replaces Fragmentation Shot).
- Herald of Ash ignites enemies upon death.
Use Lesser Jeweler's Orbs to add support gem sockets to key skills (Explosive Grenade, Explosive Shot, Gas Grenade).
Essential Passive Skill Tree Nodes:
Prioritize Cluster Bombs (adds projectiles to Grenades), Repeating Explosives (chance for double explosions), and Iron Reflexes (converts Evasion to Armor, mitigating Sorcery Ward's downside). Also seek Cooldown Reduction, Projectile/Grenade Damage, and Area of Effect nodes. Crossbow-related nodes and Armor/Evasion are secondary unless needed.
Itemization and Stat Priorities:
Focus on upgrading the weakest gear piece. Prioritize Crossbow upgrades for significant power increases. Aim for gear with:
- Dexterity
- Strength
- Armor
- Evasion
- Elemental Resistances (except Chaos)
- Physical and Elemental Damage
- Mana on Hit
- Resistances
- (Optional) Attack Speed, Movement Speed, Life/Mana on Kill, Item Rarity
A Bombard Crossbow adds an extra Grenade projectile, significantly boosting damage.
This comprehensive guide will help you effectively level your Mercenary in Path of Exile 2, ensuring a smooth and powerful journey to the endgame.
